Subframe reinforcement questions

I am looking to do subframe reinforcement front and rear and all new bushing at the same time. Anyone have any suggestions on where to buy and Where to Get it welded in At I'm in the bay area Napa to be exact. Also looking into getting m3 rear subframe and diff.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App

when you say "all new bushings" what do you mean?

He probably means control arm bushings

Everything in the rear, diff mounts, subframe mounts, control arm mounts upper only already have lower via adjustable lower control arm from specialty products, Spindle mounts Everything, and i would like to get powerflex or something equivalent to that.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App

Ok good. As long as you're aware that there's 21 pieces in the rear total.

21? ... Uh oh.. Lol well it's worth it, i put allot more power to the rear and don't want to rip my subframe out.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App

See sig, second link. scroll to bonus. all part #s are there for you

How come there isn't any sig when using the app on my phone,

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App

I recently did all of the rear bushings/balljoints and the subframe reinforcement. It is a BIG job, but definitely doable with jack stands and a good set of tools. See my thread to get an idea.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=914098

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Ok good. As long as you're aware that there's 21 pieces in the rear total.

21? There must be a few I don't know of.
Are you including the shock mounts?

2 on each upper control arm, 2 on each lower control arm, 4 subframe mounts, 3 differential mounts, 2 trailing arm. I count 17 in the rear...

See sig for part numbers. 17 probably then. missed counted. whatever part#s i listed count them

Thanks guys, i can do it by my self i have a welder. I just want to know where to get the parts from for the best price.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App

Most excellent thread cposk. Were you able to achieve ALL of the rear bushings and balljoints using a 2-jaw puller and sockets? Didn't need the special rear end service tool set??

Thanks for the thread link that really helped out. I think i am going to go with poly bushes.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Most excellent thread cposk. Were you able to achieve ALL of the rear bushings and balljoints using a 2-jaw puller and sockets? Didn't need the special rear end service tool set??

Pretty much... I had to drill/chisel/pound out the bushings though, which was only possible because I had everything disassembled. Removing the bushings was by far the most difficult part...

I think I used my habor freight shop press ($199 ) to do the 2 smaller diff bushings. 20 tons of force in 1 square inch freaks me out...

Let me be more clear: Yes you can install all the the bushing in the rear end with a 2 jaw puller except for the 2 front differential bushings which have no where for the jaws to grab.

Removing them is a different story. I used a 1/2in drill bit to drill around the rubber. Then I knocked out the center with a hammer. Then I used a saw saw to cut a few slits in the metal casing. Then went to town with a variety of chisels to peal the metal casing out. This is only an option if you remove the entire rear end, as you would for a subframe reinforcement project.

Originally Posted by cposk

Let me be more clear: Yes you can install all the the bushing in the rear end with a 2 jaw puller except for the 2 front differential bushings which have no where for the jaws to grab.

Removing them is a different story. I used a 1/2in drill bit to drill around the rubber. Then I knocked out the center with a hammer. Then I used a saw saw to cut a few slits in the metal casing. Then went to town with a variety of chisels to peal the metal casing out. This is only an option if you remove the entire rear end, as you would for a subframe reinforcement project.

perfect. got it. so how did you install the two differential bushing? the press right?

Originally Posted by cposk

2 on each upper control arm, 2 on each lower control arm, 4 subframe mounts, 3 differential mounts, 2 trailing arm. I count 17 in the rear...

Your 4-piece deficit is probably in the RSMs and sway bar bushings.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

perfect. got it. so how did you install the two differential bushing? the press right?

Yes, the press worked well for these because I could brace the frame on both sides. The press didn't work for everything else because the outside lip of the holes is too skinny. The jaw puller was able to grab the lip perfectly (green marks)